South Beach Hotels

The stunning 312-room W South Beach -- located on the beach, on the northern outskirts of South Beach -- blends cute comforts, intricate design (that spares no expense), and flawless service. Large, modern rooms; terraces angled to overlook the ocean; elegant landscaping around the pool; a lush Bliss…

The 790-room Loews Miami Beach Hotel is a luxurious mega-resort with attentive service and a big, freeform pool overlooking a beautiful stretch of beachfront. The hotel has a spa, gym, several upscale restaurants, and a convenient, central South Beach location. Some guests complain about securing a poolside…

The Delano's 195 all-white rooms don't come cheap, but you're paying for surreal, Philippe Starck style and all-night parties at the "water salon." To some, its hip factor has been bested by the Gansevoort or Shore Club, but their style doesn't compare, and good times are still to be had.

Paradise doesn't come cheap. Striking but sober mood-lit design; impeccable service; huge, immaculate rooms; three pools, each a different temperature; and a prime beachside location make the Setai one of the best hotels in Miami. Its restaurants are more about design than food, but several of Miami's…

Debuting in 2009 and designed by Marcel Wanders, the off-the-beach Mondrian is as stylish as its party-centric South Beach siblings, the Delano and Shore Club, but lacks the hyped-up clubbers. Its impeccable service, kitchen-equipped rooms, and notable after-parties at the Sunset Lounge draw well-heeled…

The beachfront Shore Club prides itself on being a be-seen haunt, with celebrity-fueled restaurants and bars, and a boisterous infinity pool where DJs spin the latest hits. But despite the hotel's party-focused image, the large rooms, attentive service, and beautiful design make for a relaxing stay.

Designed for randy 20-somethings who can rage until 4 a.m., the Catalina can be a godsend. It's moderately priced, across from the beach, and in the heart of the fashionista bar scene. Although there are nice touches like Tempur-Pedic beds and a hip rooftop pool, it's a party hotel at heart, with small…

A huge (though relaxed) beachfront resort with reliable service, a great pool, a top-notch spa, and a modern fitness center, the Ritz offers more for the money. Less crowded than its hip, style-focused boutique neighbors, the family-friendly Ritz is still in a prime position to explore SoBe.

If you're coming to Miami to party by the pool, then the mid-range Clevelander Hotel or "The Cleve" as it's lovingly called by locals, is a solid choice. If you have little ones or want a quiet night's rest away from the action, look elsewhere. The 60-room hotel provides small rooms with a minimalist…

This beautifully restored, 390-room beachfront property is a modern reincarnation of Miami’s first luxury hotel -- The Royal Palm. Highlights at The Royal Palm, Miami-South Beach (formerly The James Royal Palm) include two swimming pools, two restaurants, three bars, a nightclub, a full-service spa…

The historic and iconic Raleigh Hotel in Miami has been earning accolades since Life magazine dubbed their pool the most beautiful in America in 1947. Today, the four-pearl Art Deco hotel still gets its fair share of praise and often hosts fashion shoots and parties by the pool. Renovations brought a…

The blissfully remote, adults-only (14+) Standard is about a mile from the beach, but it's still passionately hip. Though it skimps on service and has small, somewhat dingy rooms, it creates a low-key holistic haven by way of vintage furniture, outdoor bathtubs, a 24-hour pool, yoga retreats, and a world-famous…

The 100-room Hotel Breakwater's highlight is its location -- on Ocean Drive, across the street from the most popular area of the beach (however, proximity to Ocean Drive's restaurants and bars can mean noisy nights). The hotel takes up two adjacent towers, one of which is in the former Edison Hotel building…

With eccentric furniture, a jellyfish aquarium and a coed, clothing-optional hammam, the Victor packs sexy glamour into a small Ocean Drive boutique (just across from the beach). Though the pool and rooms are small, the Victor compensates with an excellent spa and a restaurant that even locals frequent.

Literally a one-minute walk from the beach, this trendy boutique hotel -- like many others in the area -- caters to young, hip partiers. The lobby is decorated with a sleek black-and-white motif, the rooftop pool and bar are hopping late into the night, and house music plays throughout the property…